Jolfa

A city that located in northwest of East Azerbaijan province and also situated to the north of the Kiyamaki mountain and the southern bank of the Aras river is called jolfa city. This county was previously considered one of the Regions of the county of Marand, but has become an independent city because of its importance and being the center of trade. The county is confine from the south to Marand and Varzeghan, from the east to Kaleybar, to the West Azerbaijan province from the west and the countries of Armenia and Republic of Azerbaijan from the north. The town on the Araxes River in Azarbaijan at one time was the major Armenian settlement until Shah Abbas I (Safavid period) imported Armenian families to new town in Isfahan. 

beautiful city of jolfa

Description

The city was formerly a subordinate city of Marand but later with the incorporation of several villages of Dizmar Arasbaran with the centrality of Kharvana, it became a county under the title of Siah Rud (Black River) region or Western Dizmar which most of the historical and religious sites and the touristic forests of this county are located in Western Dizamr, in the villages of Kordasht, Ushtibin, Nujmehr, Duzal and etc. Some other features include lyingin the bank of the Aras river, its being positioned next to the Iranian-Armenian and Iranian-Azerbaijani borders and being located in a trade zone has turned this county into one of the most important trading poles of Iran.

There is not much to see except Darre Sham Church (St. Stephen’s Church) in Jolfa City which is located 16 km (approximately 9.5 miles) west of town. This church is built in the hills and its oldest parts dates back to 14th century (present building dates back to 16th century). It is situated in a deep canyon along the Araxes, on the Iranian side of the border between Iran and Nakhchivan. It was originally built in the ninth century, and was rebuilt during the Safavid era, after being damaged through wars and earthquakes. It is part of the Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, which are inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.


Armenians in Iran

In 1606, more than thousands of Armenians fled from their homelands due to the Ottoman Empire’s torment and persecution. During this period, Shah Abbas I from the Safavid dynasty was the King governing Iran and under his leadership, various opportunities of cultural integration were created. Welcoming Armenians and resettling them around Isfahan– which was the kingdom’s capital at that time- was a part of his attempts in the hopes that their rich culture, expertise, talent and great experience in the silk trade would be advantageous and yield benefits for the country.

sightseeing